WINNIPEG, MB – Hockey Manitoba is pleased to announce a new sponsorship agreement with Royal Sports to become an Official Partner of Hockey Manitoba. The two-year deal will see Royal Sports recognized as the Official Supplier and Retailer of Hockey Manitoba providing access to a wide range of products and services for the organization including member associations and teams. The partnership will allow Hockey Manitoba to maintain business with products such as apparel, awards, medals and banners but will also provide better access to hockey hard goods. “We’re pleased to align with a long-standing Manitoba owned and operated business being Royal Sports, we feel this deal is not only great for Hockey Manitoba operations but that of our subsidiary associations and individual members throughout the province” comments Peter Woods, Executive Director of Hockey Manitoba.

One of the new features based around this partnership will be Team Gear, which will provide member teams the ability to order custom team apparel along with select Reebok-CCM on-ice equipment and sticks at special rates offered to be released in 2014. “We’re excited to form a partnership solid in hockey; Royal Sports and Hockey Manitoba! Royal Sports has been the top hockey store in Manitoba since its inception, so partnering with the provincial governing body only makes sense” remarks Gerald Haasbeek of Royal Sports. In addition to the new Team Gear initiative, Royal Sports will take over all apparel and recognition orders for Hockey Manitoba which also includes managing the Hockey Manitoba Provincials team sales operation.

Royal Sports, established in 1974, is 100 per cent locally owned and operated by the Haasbeek family since it opened its doors. With two Winnipeg locations at 750 Pembina Highway and 650 Raleigh Street in East Kildonan, Royal Sports is the province’s largest hockey supplier. For more information visit www.royalsports.me.

Hockey Manitoba thanks its Official Partners for their contribution to the development of amateur hockey; Canad Inns, Cargill Ltd., Reebok-CCM Hockey, and Royal Sports. Hockey Manitoba also thankfully recognizes the contributions of its Sport Partners; Hockey Canada, Sport Manitoba, Western Hockey League, Manitoba Junior Hockey League, MTS Iceplex, Winnipeg Jets Hockey Club and the Winnipeg Jets True North Foundation. Visit www.hockeymanitoba.ca for current news, information & events or connect with Hockey Manitoba on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.